Vizzu: A new Hungarian success story in data storytelling

Lowering the barriers to data analysis

Vizzu was built with a similar philosophy to the low-code/no-code platforms that have been transforming the IT world for years. The goal? To lower the barrier to entry into what has traditionally been the domain of specialists. While low-code platforms make programming accessible to business users and non-programmers with an IT affinity, Vizzu aims to do the same for data analysis and storytelling.

You shouldn't have to be a data scientist or trained analyst to analyse large data sets and present the results in an engaging way,

says Vizzu founder Péter Vidos. Today, business professionals rely on spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets—using formulas and pivot tables to extract patterns and insights. They then create charts manually and embed them in presentation software such as PowerPoint and Google Slides.

"The process is fragmented and cumbersome," Péter explains. "If you make a mistake or realise you need a different approach, you have to start over. And if someone asks a question during the presentation that you hadn't prepared for, the meeting grinds to a halt.

A visual-first approach to working with data

Vizzu's approach flips the script by visualising data from the outset, making it easier to uncover trends and insights.

By starting with visualisation, you're not just analysing data - you're shaping the story you want to tell,

Péter adds. "It saves time, helps your audience better understand the significance of your findings, and allows you to respond to questions on the spot."

Take a look at this data story created with Vizzu - it compares the financial performance of Apple, Nvidia and Tesla over the last 15 years. You can navigate the slides using the Next and Prev buttons at the bottom, or by swiping left and right on a mobile device. Click on any company name in the legend to highlight the corresponding data points.

Another popular presentation visualises the radiation exposure of liquidators at the Chernobyl disaster site in 1986 and compares it with common radiation levels - from an average person's annual dose to extreme exposure scenarios. This story has been viewed over 450,000 times.

Talking to your data

Recently,

Vizzu added a generative AI feature that allows users to "talk" to their data.

"In practice, this means you can issue commands just like you would in ChatGPT," Péter explains. "You can write in any language, ask for insights and specify how the chart should look."

Beyond text-based prompts, Vizzu allows users to interact directly with charts by filtering, sorting and drilling into data - bringing the power of spreadsheets into a more intuitive and visual format.

Business model

"In terms of our target audience, we are clearly targeting business users - primarily small businesses, independent professionals and consultants in the early stages," says the CEO. He adds that some data security and integration challenges still need to be addressed to ensure Vizzu is suitable for enterprise environments from both an IT and compliance perspective.

To date, over 12,000 people have signed up for Vizzu.

However, there is significant room for growth as the combined user base of Excel and Google Sheets is around 2.5 billion - a huge market.

The company plans to generate revenue through monthly subscriptions, using the 'freemium' model widely adopted in the start-up world. This means that a broad user base will have access to a free version of Vizzu with basic features, while premium features, unlimited usage and product support will be available for a fee. They are looking at a monthly subscription fee of between $20 and $50.

Backing and future plans

In 2021, several notable Hungarian entrepreneurs and startup veterans backed Vizzu, including Balázs Vinnai of BnL (advisor to the President of MBH and President of IVSZ) and Péter Csillag, co-founder of Straschema.

Last year, the startup raised $1.5 million in its largest round of funding, led by Interactive Venture Partners and joined by New York-based hedge fund Two Sigma. Other backers include Zoltán Györkő, President of Startup Hungary.

Now, the Vizzu team is preparing for another round of funding to improve the beta version and introduce subscription-based features. A key focus will be the development of an AI-powered co-pilot to help users clean data, analyse insights and create compelling data stories. The presentation below shows the experience the startup is working towards. It's segmented to pause after each interaction for easy navigation.

Cover photo: Vizzu

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